Hi,

I'd appreciate your help pointing out how I can install a latest version of Linux (Gentoo) on my 8 yrs old Dell Latitude. I currently has Linux Gentoo on it, but have not used the Laptop for 5+ yrs. Now I forgot User ID and Pwd. It is booted up to Gentoo Linux, but I can't go pass far enough to connect to the Internet for Linux installation. I guess I will need to request a set of Linux CD ROM from Gentoo and do the installation from CD. Any suggestion from you will be much appreciated. Or a quick phone call would be much appreciated 404-769-1050.

Sincrely,
TL

Help needs to stay on the forum so all can benefit. I strongly recommend that you remove your phone number---unless you are ready to be contacted by every tele-marketer on the planet.

You can download the CD images from the Gentoo website. Simply burn the CD(s) from the images, and then boot from the first one and follow the instructions.

If you have been away from Linux for awhile, there are other distros you might want to consider. Take a look at http://distrowatch.com

If you need to get into the computer as it is, try booting into "single-user" mode:
Reboot
When you see the GRUB menu, hit any key to stop the count, (escape if necessary to get out of graphical mode), then "e" for edit.
Select the kernel line, "e" to edit
Add "single" to the end of the line
reboot

You will now be in a root login with no password required. You can then change the password by entering "passwd root" or "passwd <username>" You can then boot up and log in normally.